Fantasy Football Week 13: Matt Camp's Fantasy Big Board

Fantasy Football Week 13: Matt Camp's Fantasy Big Board

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When the New York Giants decided to bench Eli Manning in favor of Geno Smith, it signified a transition into evaluation mode. Other teams will be making similar moves down the stretch with no regard for the fantasy playoffs.

It's a lot easier to build your fantasy roster around players on teams in contention, as it should give you peace of mind. Latavius Murray may not be one of the most talented running backs in the league, but he's playing an important role for the Minnesota Vikings and that's providing him ample opportunities to produce. He's been much easier to deal with than someone like Adrian Peterson.

Of course, you don't have to completely avoid bad teams. DeAndre Hopkins lost Deshaun Watson, yet he continues to thrive with Tom Savage and the Houston Texans sitting at 4-7. Talent can overcome when it's someone on the level of Hopkins. He remains one of the most reliable players in fantasy football.

Here's the first look at points-per-reception (PPR) rankings for Week 13. These will change throughout the week and up to Sunday's action as we get more information about injuries and limitations, so make sure to bookmark this page for my full rankings in both PPR and non-PPR formats.

Top 100

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Kirk Cousins and the Redskins should have another productive Thursday night.Mark Tenally/Associated Press

I present my top 100 players (minus quarterbacks) for the week as a way to help determine your flex spots. You may favor a certain position or player over another based on his role and/or your scoring rules.

As an additional tiebreaker, here are the teams I like as a whole this week based on their matchups:

Quarterbacks

Two weeks ago, the B.S. Meter dismissed the idea of Teddy Bridgewater being a must-add off the waiver wire because Keenum was playing well in leading one of the hottest teams in the league. Two weeks later, the Minnesota Vikings are riding a seven-game winning streak and any calls for Bridgewater to replace Keenum seem ridiculous, especially since Keenum has turned into a reliable fantasy option.

Keenum has at least 280 yards in each of his last four games. During that span, he has a 9:3 touchdown-to-interception ratio and didn't throw an INT in the last two games against conference contenders in the Los Angeles Rams and Detroit Lions. Over the last five weeks, only Russell Wilson, Ben Roethlisberger, Carson Wentz and Tom Brady are averaging more than Keenum's 21.5 fantasy points per game. This week, he takes on an Atlanta Falcons defense that allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to QBs in the last four weeks. If you've been disappointed by once-reliable QBs like Alex Smith and Dak Prescott, Keenum could be the solution to your problems.

In Week 12, Stafford had to battle through an ankle injury but ultimately took a loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Stafford completed 20 of 35 passes for 250 yards with two TDs and an INT. It marked his fourth straight game with multiple TDs and the eighth time he's had multiple TDs all season, which brought him to 21 TDs to just six INTs on the season. He's had solid fantasy performances over the last two weeks against good defenses in the Chicago Bears and Vikings, but gets a tougher test Sunday when the Lions hit the road to take on the Baltimore Ravens.

Over the last four weeks, Baltimore limited QBs to just 709 yards and two TDs while registering six INTs and 11 sacks. During that time, only the Philadelphia Eagles allowed fewer fantasy points per game to QBs. Unless you have a clear upgrade over Stafford, you should probably stick with him, although expectations shouldn't be as high in such a tough matchup.

Avoid

Alex Smith, KC (at NYJ)

The early-season MVP talk for Smith has turned into calls for rookie Patrick Mahomes to replace him. The Chiefs don't believe that's the solution, so Smith remains the starter, but that doesn't mean he needs to remain your fantasy starter, even with a decent matchup against the New York Jets in Week 13.

They've been a bottom-12 defense against QBs in the last four weeks as it relates to fantasy points per game, yet Smith has been a massive disappointment during that same span with just 13.3 fantasy points per game. He accounted for three TDs and four INTs during that time, as the entire Chiefs offense has taken a nosedive at the worst time. You can't trust Smith until he proves otherwise.

Sleeper

Brett Hundley, GB (vs. TB)

It was pretty easy to write off Hundley and the Green Bay Packers in Week 12 with a trip to Pittsburgh to face a Super Bowl contender in prime time. Instead, Hundley took the Steelers to the limit with his best performance of the season in a 31-28 loss. He completed 17 of 26 attempts for 245 yards with three TDs. The Packers are on life support at 5-6, but Hundley's performance allows for some hope with a beatable matchup at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 13.

The Buccaneers gave up 1,207 yards and six TDs to QBs in their last four games, including 317 yards and a TD to Matt Ryan last weekend. Tampa Bay's secondary has been exploited for most of the season and thanks to Hundley's connection with Davante Adams, we could see more of the same this Sunday in Green Bay. Between his performance in Week 12, the positive matchup and the threat of his legs, Hundley is a good streamer.

Running Backs

Reliability in the New England Patriots backfield isn't easy to find, yet over their last six games, Lewis has led the team in rushing each time. New England has had enough faith in Lewis to make Mike Gillislee a healthy scratch in each of the last three games. Lewis rewarded that faith with a season-high 112 rushing yards on 15 carries in the Week 12 victory against the Miami Dolphins. He'll have a good chance at another busy and productive outing when the Patriots face the Bills in Buffalo.

Despite the Kansas City Chiefs foolishly limiting Kareem Hunt to just 11 carries (17 yards) in Week 12, the Bills remain the worst defense against fantasy RBs in the last four weeks. Over that time, they gave up 621 rushing yards and nine TDs on 121 carries in addition to 18 receptions for 104 yards. Even if Rex Burkhead stays busy as a runner and receiver, the Patriots have every reason to feature Lewis to exploit a weakness in Buffalo's defense. Lewis is at least a great RB2.

Concern

Ameer Abdullah, DET (at BAL)

Abdullah's fantasy production had been TD-reliant in the three games prior to Week 12, so when he didn't score against the Minnesota Vikings, his struggles to run the ball were exploited. Abdullah managed just 14 yards on six carries and three receptions for 29 yards on five targets. He hasn't run for more than 54 yards in the last seven games, yet he still leads the Detroit Lions with 505 yards on 150 carries on the season.

Abdullah will likely need a TD to salvage any kind of fantasy production in Week 13 when the Lions take on the Ravens in Baltimore. In their last three games against the Houston Texans, Green Bay Packers and Tennessee Titans, the Ravens held RBs to just 167 yards and two TDs on 63 carries and just 13 receptions for 97 yards. Only the Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles gave up fewer fantasy points per game to RBs in the last four weeks. Abdullah is nothing more than a desperation play this week.

If the New York Jets have a healthy backfield, fantasy owners have a mess. A perfect example of that mess came in Week 12 when Forte was active after dealing with a knee issue. He carried 10 times for 26 yards and didn't haul in his only target. Powell ran nine times for 34 yards and caught his only target for 12 yards. Elijah McGuire also saw a share of the work with five carries for 21 yards and a reception for 13 yards. A three-headed backfield for an average team is a fantasy headache. If all three are active for Week 13 against the Kansas City Chiefs, avoid this backfield and find a situation that doesn't have so much clutter.

Sleeper

Danny Woodhead, BAL (vs. DET)

In two games since returning from injured reserve following a hamstring injury, Woodhead has yet to have a big fantasy outing, but he is moving in the right direction. He has 10 targets with nine receptions for 44 yards and five carries for 24 yards with his snaps jumping from 22 percent in Week 11 to 32.8 percent in Week 12. If he continues to increase his snaps and touches, the fantasy production will follow and that could happen this week against the visiting Detroit Lions.

In the last four weeks, Detroit allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to RBs, including 19 receptions for 160 yards on 30 targets in those four games. The Lions are a much tougher team against WRs (fifth-fewest fantasy points allowed), so if the Ravens need to generate offense, Woodhead would be a prime candidate for more touches as a receiver. Don't give up hope on Mr. PPR.

Wide Receivers

While Jordy Nelson is probably monitoring every move Aaron Rodgers makes in his recovery from a broken collarbone, Adams continues to produce at a high level with Brett Hundley. With five receptions for 82 yards and a TD on nine targets in Week 12, Adams has 25 receptions for 351 yards and two TDs on 37 targets in the last four games and is averaging 18 fantasy points per game during that span.

Even though Adams has a clear connection with Hundley, Nelson has just 12 receptions for 90 yards on 22 targets in the last month and doesn't even belong on fantasy rosters anymore. Adams has a great chance to keep his hot streak going when he faces the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 13 in Green Bay. No team has allowed more fantasy points to WRs in the last four weeks than the Buccaneers. Julio Jones torched them for 12 receptions, 253 yards and two TDs on 15 targets last week. Adams is the lone must-start fantasy option for the Packers.

Concern

Sammy Watkins, LAR (at ARI)

Without Robert Woods in the lineup, Watkins took advantage of a depleted New Orleans Saints secondary in Week 12 with four receptions for 82 yards and a TD on nine targets. His nine targets topped his previous high of seven in Week 3, and it was only the second time all season he posted at least 70 yards. Woods' shoulder injury is considered a multiweek absence, so it would be a surprise to see him in Week 13, which means Watkins could be the victim of Patrick Peterson when the Rams visit the Arizona Cardinals.

In the last month, only the Jacksonville Jaguars gave up fewer fantasy points per game to WRs than the Cardinals. When Watkins faced Peterson and the Cardinals back in Week 7, he had just three receptions for 42 yards on five targets. Targets could be funneled to Cooper Kupp if Peterson locks Watkins down Sunday. Consider Watkins just a flex option for this week.

Avoid

T.Y. Hilton, IND (at JAC)

Even with a prime matchup against the Tennessee Titans in Week 12, Hilton let fantasy owners down yet again with just two receptions for 15 yards on five targets. That marked the fifth time in six games he failed to record more than two receptions. Hilton has eight games without double-digit fantasy points in what's been an ugly season without Andrew Luck. It gets worse with a visit to Jacksonville to face a brutal Jaguars defense in Week 12. Back in Week 7, the Jaguars limited Hilton to just two receptions for 27 yards. You're better off staying away from the toughest matchup for fantasy WRs over the last four weeks and keeping Hilton on the bench.

Sleeper

Dontrelle Inman, CHI (vs. SF)

The only reason to consider Inman for this week is necessity. That would be the necessity for the Chicago Bears to feature Inman as their top WR without any other clear options and your necessity to fill the last spot in your starting lineup with a player who should targeted frequently in a decent matchup.

Since his first game with the Bears in Week 10, Inman leads the team in targets (22), receptions (13) and yards (195). That's both an indictment of how bad the receiving corps is and an endorsement for Inman's ability to carve out a role so quickly. The 49ers have been nothing more than an average matchup for WRs, so Inman is worth a look in what could be another busy afternoon.

Tight Ends

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Hunter Henry and the Chargers are heating up at the right time.Michael Ainsworth/Associated Press

Better Than Usual

Hunter Henry, LAC (vs. CLE)

The roller coaster ride of Henry's 2017 season hit a peak in Week 12. After just five receptions for 43 yards on nine targets in three previous games, he caught all five of his targets for 76 yards and a TD in last week's win over the Dallas Cowboys. That marked the first time he scored since Week 5 and only the fourth time he's registered more than 42 yards in a game, although all four of those performances have resulted in at least 73 yards.

Only one time has Henry posted back-to-back games of double-digit fantasy points, but he could accomplish that feat twice with one of the best fantasy TE matchups on deck for Week 13. The Cleveland Browns allowed the ninth-most fantasy points per game to TEs in the last month and third-most fantasy points per game to TEs for the season. This has been a matchup to exploit for any decent TE, and Henry is certainly more than decent. He's one of the best options to plug and play this week.

Concern

Evan Engram, NYG (at OAK)

Concerns for Engram were already mounting following two disappointing performances against the Kansas City Chiefs and Washington Redskins in the last two weeks. He had just four receptions for 27 yards on 13 targets in those two games following four straight games with a TD as one of the most reliable fantasy options at the position all season.

A look at this week's matchup with the Oakland Raiders provided some hope, as they yielded the seventh-most fantasy points to TEs in the last month. However, confidence in Engram has dipped following the move to Geno Smith with Eli Manning heading to the bench. The matchup is good enough to still consider Engram, although the absence of Sterling Shepard (migraines) for the last two weeks hasn't resulted in an uptick in targets. Without Manning, Engram isn't a lock to be in fantasy lineups until he snaps out of his funk and shows he can produce with Smith.

Avoid

Austin Hooper, ATL (vs. MIN)

At times, Hooper's flashed the potential to be a solid fantasy option, but he hasn't been consistent. While he has five games with double-digit fantasy points, he's hit that mark in back-to-back games just once. In the last two weeks, he caught five of seven targets for 37 yards. Week 13 won't provide him with a good chance to get back on track against the visiting Minnesota Vikings. They limited TEs to the eighth-fewest fantasy points in the last four weeks. This isn't the week to consider Hooper.

Sleeper

Jason Witten, DAL (vs. WAS)

If the Dallas Cowboys want to get Dak Prescott back on track, they should consider the human security blanket known as Jason Witten. Witten played that role last week with seven receptions on seven targets for 44 yards. For the second time in three games, he caught all seven of his targets, proving he can be a reliable option for Prescott in some trying times.

Even though Witten was limited to just three receptions for 31 yards on five targets when the Cowboys met the Washington Redskins in Week 8, the matchup is still good enough to make a case for Witten on Thursday night. Washington surrendered the fifth-most fantasy points to TEs in the last four weeks, so you'd think the Cowboys would be smart enough to exploit that weakness, especially if Dez Bryant has to deal with Josh Norman. He might not have a high ceiling, but Witten should have a safe floor if you need it.

Defenses

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An improved Chargers defense should have its way with the Browns.Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

Best Streaming Option

Los Angeles Chargers (vs. CLE)

It's not often that a good defense is available and has a favorable matchup, but everything is lining up perfectly this week for the Chargers. They come off the top fantasy defense performance of Week 12 and rank second in fantasy points over the last four weeks. This week, they should have a great chance to keep up the strong production when the Cleveland Browns visit. Over the last four weeks, no team has given up more fantasy points per game to opposing defenses than the Browns by allowing 13 sacks, three INTs, four fumble recoveries and two TDs while scoring just 47 points. The Chargers are a great play for Week 13 and could be worth hanging on to for the homestretch.

Kickers

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Josh Lambo is a nice grab off the waiver wire for Week 13.Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Best Streaming Option

Josh Lambo, JAC (vs. IND)

Even after a bad loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 12, the Jacksonville Jaguars should get back on track when they face the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. With Leonard Fournette at less than 100 percent, the offense isn't operating at the same level we saw earlier in the season, but it'll have enough success against the Colts defense to give Lambo enough opportunities to be a top-10 fantasy option. He's missed just one of 11 field-goal attempts in five games with the team.